IU players relish in playing homecoming games, both home and away

Rolling over and playing dead was not what the Hoosiers had in mind when they learned they would be playing in three opponents’ homecomings.\nThe Hoosiers already proved that this year with a 38-20 win at Iowa. At Kinnick Stadium, the stands were filled for homecoming, and the fans were expecting their team to break out of a six-game Big Ten losing streak.\n“Well, we already won one,” said a confident sophomore fullback Josiah Sears. “But honestly, we don’t even have a clue until we get there and realize \nit’s homecoming.” \nAside from playing in their own homecoming game – an Oct. 20 meeting against Penn State – the Hoosiers also played at Michigan State on Oct. 13, losing 52-27, and play at Wisconsin Oct. 27 amidst alumni, celebrations and expectations of winning.\nThis year, the Hoosiers would love nothing better than to spoil one more more homecomings when they were initially scheduled as a “shoe-in” win.\n“We take it as disrespect that they mark us down on their calendar as a win,” sophomore defensive lineman Jammie Kirlew said. “That just gives us more motivation to go out there and play harder.”\nThough Kirlew said the Hoosiers play with extra motivation on opponents’ homecomings, Sears said the team’s main concern is preparing for the game, rather than focusing on the events the other team is having. \nStill, he said when IU wins an opponent’s homecoming, it is a nice feeling to have ruined it.\n“I guess Iowa thought they were scheduling same old Indiana,” Sears said.\nA little extra drive wouldn’t hurt against a program such as Penn State. Led by coach Joe Paterno, college football’s all-time leader in wins, the Nittany Lions will look to play spoiler on IU’s homecoming.\n“Penn State has as good a tradition as any team in the country,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “The fans want to watch a Joe Paterno-coached team, and that’s something that’s pretty exciting.”\nBut it’s the extra excitement in the stadium – and larger attendance – that Sears said gives the players a buzz before their homecoming games.\n“That’s a tough team that we’re going to be playing,” Kirlew added. “So I’m actually glad that we put them on homecoming, because that’s going to give us more motivation. Knowing that we’re going to have a full crowd here, and everybody is going to root for us, that’s going to make us want to go out and play hard.”\nAs for Sears, with his career at IU is coming to a close, he said this year’s homecoming will be more meaningful as everything is coming full circle.\n“Everything’s coming around for the last time, and it’s sort of bittersweet,” Sears said. “I feel like I’ve been here for a long time some days, and other days I feel like I’ve been here for five minutes. I know that when I get to this point next year, I’m going to \nmiss it.”